A standout practice in early college high schools nationwide is the combination of structured academic advising and intentional pathway design. According to the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP), guiding students into courses that align with clear pathways, whether toward a career credential, certificate, or associate degree, maximizes the impact of dual enrollment programs.
In practice, high school counselors and college advisors collaborate to map out each student’s pathway, clearly communicating:
- Course expectations
- Transferability
- Sequencing
This ensures students progress efficiently through both high school and college requirements, minimizing the risk of misadvising and helping them earn meaningful credentials on time.
Integrating structured advising with well-designed pathways can strengthen early college initiatives, improve student outcomes, and provide a clear roadmap for success from day one. Clearly defined pathways also support leadership in tracking key NM compliance indicators to help schools make data-informed decisions.
- Number of students in each pathway
- College attainment
To learn more, see the study, Academic Advising Practices for Dual Enrollment and Early College High School Students.
